Archbishop Saul Chabuga

The first Archbishop of ADC with his church officials then.The late Archbishop Saul Chabuga was born in 1898 at Jepkoyai of former Kakamega District but currently Hamisi District. Saul migrated from Jepkoyai to Gamalenga where he settled. Before founding ADC, Saul was a member of PAOC until 1949, when ADC was allowed to start its services independently. Saul was the son of Chamwama of “Vasaniaga” clan and Mudasia of “Avasali” clan. The late bishop was blessed with two sons and five daughters. His level of education is not clearly known but he received missionary education from the missionaries of PAOC at Nyang’ori Mission. He died at the age of 72 years in 1970 after heading the church for 21 years. After his death Saul was succeeded by his son James Lilege Chabuga. Archbishop Saul Chabuga was the founding Archbishop of the African Divine Church, he came to faith as a young man and soon sensed a clear calling from God to establish an indigenous African church that would honour both Scripture and African identity.

In 1947, he stepped out in obedience to that call, gathering a small group of believers for prayer, Bible study, and evangelism. Under his leadership, ADC grew from a humble fellowship into a network of congregations across Western Kenya. He preached the gospel with conviction, trained the first generation of pastors, and laid the spiritual and organizational foundations upon which the church still stands.

Archbishop Saul was known for his deep prayer life, his unwavering commitment to holiness, and his love for the people he served. He believed that the church must care for the whole person — spiritual, physical, social, and economic — and so he championed schools, clinics, and relief ministries alongside the preaching of the Word. He went to be with the Lord after a lifetime of faithful service, but his legacy endures.

He is honoured at the headquarters in Boyani, where a mausoleum stands as a memorial to his life and ministry. The church he founded continues to grow, fulfilling the vision God placed in his heart more than six decades ago.